Among the illustrious characters whose names are inscribed upon the brightest record that adorns the annals of our country few possessed more solid attainments than Roger Sherman.  It is a remarkable fact that this man, who stood among the foremost in the ranks of patriots and statesman and served his country  in various high and honorable offices during a period of forty years, began life as an apprentice to a shoemaker and pursued that occupation until after he was twenty-two years of age.  Surmounting difficulties which to common minds might have been insuperable, he gradually ascended from his humble life to eminence among men.  Becoming a lawyer, his brilliancy as such soon promoted him to a State judgeship, and in 1774 he was sent to Congress.  When Richard Henry Lee offered his famous resolution for independence, Sherman was named with Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Livingston to draft the glorious act.  In the debates he displayed superior ability.  Upon his retirement he became Mayor of New Haven and first Senator from Connecticut.  He was a member of the general convention to prepare the Federal Constitution.